The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-01-01
THE OLD AND NEW YEAR.

As the midnight hour drew nigh, the Old
Year stool before me. Weary and wayworn
he seemed, and in his hands was an hour
glass; whence the last sands were falling. As
l looked upon his wrinklcti forehead memories
both pleasant and nIournful came over me.
/ spoke earnestly to him:
MANY blessings hast thou brought me, for
which l gave thee thanks. New have they
been every morning, and fresh every morn
ing. Thou hast indeed from my hearts gar
den uproote,. some hopes l planted there
With their clustering buds they fell, and
were never quickencd again"
praise God for what | gave and what
took away" he said, and lay up treasures in
heaven, that thy heart may be there also.
What thou callest blighted hopes are ofttimes
changed into the fruits of Righteousness"
But l answered: Thou hast also hidden
from my sight the loved and the loving
Ciosls are strewii upon their faces; they reply
To my cali mo more. To tine homes they made
fair they return not, ai.'i the places that @
knew them know them no more forever"
Still he s.,ri: Give praise To Col. Your
lost with him They have pres, ie-i you
None can DRIFT b.y"!I- his love an / e-irc."
Then his Voice grew faint and Inc murn,IIrl,
Nj miS,i"a unto man Is done. For me the
Stone il Yellr,i AWAY from tho door of the
scimls.hcr. viii ci,tcr in and sIumher with
all tIe years "f the past forever"
And lie :,.rii.. hien,d hinlrelf out To die. As
sncit b. la, SHE said, ~Oh, dyin;, year,
dear, dying year, | sst scroll Ben..ath thy
mantle. hat witness shall it bear of me
when Time for me is ioncs'
Low ami solemn, his voice: 'Thou
shalt know when the book of the universe Is
opened"
Inc mis!nis.It clock tolle,l, and covered my
face AMI iaoUrncd for his death, for he had
tsg.s | wi in
how often hal sighted his warnings, neg
lcS't,si the golden opportunities of growth he
had given uic, AMI cast away tho precious
hours he hal been 80 generous with, and
buried my face and wcpt When | again
lifted my lead 10! the New Year stood ia the
place al the OIL
sinilin", lac greeted me with cool Wishes
and word, of cheer. But was afraid: for To
me hc WIS "A stranger; and when would have
returned ms welcome my lips treInbled and
were silent.
Then hc stIL: Fear not. | come from
the great source of all good, whence come all
good gifts"
Trembling, 1 a.ked: New Year. whittier
viii tho cad mo! Art thou appointed to
bring nn ioy ,r sorrow, life or Ieath."
Looking with glowing eyes into the I'M
trOi'len future, hc replied: Il know not.
Neither doth the angel nearest the throne
know: only lilo who stitch thereon. Give
me your hand AMI question not. Enough for
the, that l accomplish His will | promiss.
thee II, thing. Follow me and be content.
Take, with a prayer for WISDOM this winged
moment. Tive next may not be mine to give,
yet if We walk onward together forget not
that thou art u pilgrim for eternity II
bring thee IA cup Of joy he thankful, and lie
pitiful tn thoss who mourn: and let all men
be unto thee as brethren. If the drcf,s of bit
teriiess cleavc unto thy lips be not too eager
| to receive relief, lest thou betray the weak
ness of thy faith. Gods perfect discipline
giveth wisdom Therefore count those happy
who endure W hen morning breaketh la the
east, grid thysclf for thy duties with "A song
| of thanksgiving, and when night putteth ON
her corOnet of stars look over the day Just
gone and let its failures and biunders guide
thee TO better things on the morrow, so that
when have no longer any days nights To
give thee, and must myself die, thou wilt
bless inc as friend and a helper on the road
to heaven"